Strange Grief Wants to Retire ~ The Weakest Hunter Dreams of a Hero ~-Chapter 443.1: Exam Results

“Now, what should we do……?” (?)

In the meeting room at the Explorer Association Headquarters. I, Isaac Grow, an executive director of the Explorer Association and head of the Level 9 Certification Exam, sigh at the pile of work that has piled up.

The Explorer Association, which boasts a history of over two thousand years since its foundation, is currently in the midst of an unprecedented turmoil. To begin with, Treasure Hunters are currently one of the most active professions. Both the number of affiliated Hunters and the number of requests brought in from outside are increasing steadily. Even with the daily work alone, we don’t have much room to breathe, so with several large cases piling up, we have now completely exceeded our capacity. Although we have called for help from each branch, the working hours of the staff are only getting longer.

However, although there is no end in sight to Code’s post-processing matters――First, we have to release the results of this time’s Level 9 Exam.

Level 9 Hunter is the realm of heroes. While normal Hunters are evaluated for achieving their goals in any way possible, at this level, Hunters are expected to achieve the best possible results that will satisfy everyone.

That being said, in the case of a regular Level 9 Exam, the screening process for taking the exam is like the real thing, so if they can just take the exam, they will usually pass. On the other hand, that means that a Hunter who can take the exam unanimously has the ability to achieve the best results in most requests.

That is why the results of this exam are unexpected for the Explorer Association Headquarters.

Who would have thought――That a mission to protect the Royal Family of Code would result in Code, the highly mobile fortress city, dropping from the sky.

It was certainly a dangerous mission. One filled with unknowns. In the first place, according to the report compiled by Kaiser, the request brought to the Explorer Association this time was a trap set by Code――By Jin Gordon.

In such an overwhelmingly unfavorable situation, how could they possibly not only safely protect all the Royal Family, but also take the city down?

I have been involved in the management of the Explorer Association for many years, but never have I been reminded of the power of High-level Hunters like I have right now.

In the first place, there is no need to take the city down.

On top of that, even though the request was a trap and even though it brought down the city, the Royal Family they protected (Especially Alisha Code) has not given 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 a bad evaluation, so it no longer made any sense.

The goal of this Level 9 Certification Exam was to protect Code’s Royal Family, so taking down Code itself was clearly overkill. However, the results are far too great to be dismissed as overkill. Protecting the Royal Family meant eliminating a potential enemy called Code, but taking down Code itself directly benefited the interests of countries and the Explorers Association. To the extent that none of the countries involved in Code-related matters impeached the country of Code.

The numerous items left behind at the site of Code’s crash, as well as the human resources coming from Code’s residents. The information on the city of Code itself is also of great value. Yes, the city that separated from the Treasure Shrine of an Advanced Physical Civilization era has the capacity of 『Re-creation』. And the detailed information was probably only held by the Royal Family of Code.

One of the meeting attendees crosses his arms and says with a difficult expression.

“Since there is a large profit to be made, we cannot judge them as unworthy of being Level 9. If we did something like that, we would lose the trust of the Hunters and the other countries that we belong to.” (Attendee 1)

“If we don’t recognize at least one person, it won’t make any sense.” (Attendee 2)

The other participants agree with what they said. That’s right.

Since great benefits can be expected from this unexpected outcome, we cannot judge that they have failed the Level 9 Exam. If we do that, some would be dissatisfied with the Explorer Association treatment, regardless of the actual situation.

Moreover, this case is one that has a great connection to the Explorer Association.

As for the fact that the request was a trap, oh well. For the skilled Level 8 Hunters, it was obvious that there was a possibility of it being a trap. However, this time it was the person pulling the strings behind the scenes who was bad.

Jin Gordon, son of a former accomplice in Code’s capture operation. The appearance of such a being is undoubtedly a major blunder for the Explorer Association.

Code-related matters have long been taboo in the Explorer Association. The documents from that time were sealed away, and no one in the current Explorer Association even knows about them.

After receiving the report from Kaiser and the others, we re-examined the documents, but no information regarding a child was found. It is likely that the collaborators had deliberately hidden it, and the Explorer Association knew about it but turned a blind eye.

This was because the collaborator had various complicated issues――.

“To think that she had a child and that he is still alive…… And to look so young. As expected of someone of 『Spirit People』 bloodline.” (Attendee)

“Even though she willingly cooperated, the fact that they caused the death of a Spirit People must have made the Explorer Association at that time very anxious.” (Attendee)

That’s right. The collaborator at that time was not a pure human.

Spirit People. Even now, there are many conflicts between Spirit People and humans, but a hundred years ago, it was nothing similar to today. That was probably the reason why that collaborator fled Code, which was in chaos following the death of the first King of Code, why the Explorer Association allowed that collaborator to join Code capture operation, and also one of the reasons why Code cases became taboo.

“Anyway, I think we need to report this matter to “Princess Serene (Serene-kojou)”. Now that Jin is a half-Spirit People――We cannot afford to cause any trouble with Yggdra right now.” (Attendee)

Spirit People are different from human beings. All Spirit People are beloved subjects of the Queen, no matter how far apart they are from her. Even if they are only half-Spirit People, as long as they are part of the Queen’s bloodline, unlike other criminals, we cannot just deal with them as we please. Unless Jin is dangerous, that man isn’t much of a threat now that Code is gone.

I then clap my hands and change the subject.

“We are talking about the Level 9 Exam right now. From what we have heard from Kaiser, Saya, and Code’s Royal Family, there is no doubt that out of the three, Cry Andrich is the one who has contributed the most to protecting the Royal Family.” (Isaac)

Although he, himself, insisted that he hadn’t done anything, there was no doubt about this fact since the other two said so.

Seriously, it would be one thing if he was trying to make his achievements seem grandiose, but what on earth is he thinking, trying to make his achievements seem nonexistent.

“However, 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 has withdrawn from the Level 9 Certification Exam. Is that correct? “Branch Manager Gark (Gark-shibucho)”.” (Isaac)

『………… That’s right. It seems that he’s not satisfied with the results this time.』 (Gark)

The Symphonic Stone placed on the desk answers in a hushed voice.

Seriously, I really don’t know what Level 8 Hunters are thinking. But we cannot just ignore his opinion. By the time a Hunter reaches Level 8, they have everything, wealth, fame, and power. They are also extremely egocentric. If we try to force something they don’t agree with, they might even leave the Explorer Association.

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So, by process of elimination, the only cards that can be raised to Level 9 are 《Celestial Dancer (Hagun Tenbu)》, Kaiser Zigurd and 《Little Witch (Yaen Saiden)》, Saya Kuromizu.

There Warren Cole, Branch Manager of Galista’s branch of the Explorer Association, to which 《Celestial Dancer (Hagun Tenbu)》, Kaiser Zigurd belongs to says.

“Ahhh, Kaiser says there’s no way he’ll be Level 9 by process of elimination.” (Warren)

“Hh……” (Isaac)

Aaaah, Of course. Of course, he doesn’t! It would be one thing if it was the result of his own efforts, but having someone hand over the achievement of becoming Level 9 must be unbearable for a man who is so full of confidence.

It had been reported that during this operation, the two had fallen into a trap and were unable to move until the moment Code crashed. However, it was Kaiser and Saya who defeated all the mercenaries――The bandits under Jin’s command, who were in great numbers. Among those they defeated, there were quite a lot of wanted criminals, including some very important ones.

Code’s Royal Family which was under protection, also acknowledged the power of Kaiser and Saya. Both of them said that they were unable to get involved in protecting the Royal Family until the very end, but if they had not been able to hold back or rather defeat the bandits, the situation would have been different, so this could be seen as a kind of division of labor.

However, Kaiser is unlikely to go back on his words once he says them. In the first place, the fact that Kaiser, who had expressed the desire to be Level 9 first, declined means that there is a good reason for it. This means that leaves only one candidate――.

Warren clasps his hands and frowns.

“Kaiser said that Saya Kuromizu should be the one to be Level 9. He said that Saya-kun’s powers were different and should belong to a Level 9.” (Warren)

“………… Belong to a Level 9, huh……” (Isaac)

Who would have thought that Kaiser, who had been so confident and eager to be Level 9, would put someone else above him and say something like that?

『Sarasara』 was able to unilaterally subdue two members of the “Fox (Kitsune)”, who have powers that surpassed those of high-level Hunters, without letting them do anything. Indeed, in terms of combat ability, it would be perfect for a Level 9. However, there are some concerns――.

I look at Coralie, Terrace’s Branch Manager, who recommended Saya Kuromizu to be Level 9. Of the three, Saya is originally the furthest from becoming Level 9. If she was to become Level 9 now, it would be a great achievement for Terrace’s branch, which has never produced a Level 9 before, due to the high casualty rate among their Hunters.

But the look on Coralie’s face is not what I had expected. Her brows are furrowed, and her expression looks even more serious than Warren’s as she speaks.

“It is an honor. Yes, it is truly an honor. How many times have I dreamed that Saya would become Level 9?” (Coralie)

“………… That’s quite a strange way to put it.” (Isaac)

“Yes…… That is true. That is because I am――Against it. If it was Saya from before she took the exam, I would have gladly accepted it――” (Coralie)

“!?” (Isaac)

What she said is unexpected. Her words cause a stir in the room. It would be one thing if the Hunters themselves refused to level up due to their pride, but it is inconceivable that the Branch Manager, the one who had recommended her to be Level 9, would turn around and be against it.

“………… What do you mean?” (Isaac)

It is quite rare for three people to take the Level 9 Certification Exam at the same time, but it is unheard of for all of them to refuse to level up. Receiving stares from everyone in the room, Coralie sighs and speaks in a light tone.

“It is simple. The situation has changed――That girl’s 『Sarasara』――It weakness is gone. That 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 has, of all things, erased her only existing weakness――” (Coralie)

『………… Wait. What do you mean? Wouldn’t it be better to have no weaknesses?』 (Gark)

”Branch Manager Gark (Gark-shibucho)” is correct. The Hunter under her wing was able to overcome her weakness by overcoming multiple difficult requests. If anything, that is a good thing.

And…… She is against her becoming Level 9 because her weakness is gone?

We exchange looks at her ominous words, and Coralie clears her throat lightly and smiles. However, her eyes aren’t smiling.

“I――I have always thought that her abilities were complete. No――I wanted to believe that. I gave her that Alias and that name for her ability to ease people’s fear of her――That there is no further development for her power, so that she can simply live as a first-class Hunter. It was a good thing that Saya had a weakness. She could only summon 『Those things』 at night――It was precisely because she had that visible fatal weakness that that girl’s existence was barely tolerated.” (Coralie)

《Little Witch (Yaen Saiden)》. The strongest Treasure Hunter in Terrace, a fortress city located in the center of the Magic Realm, where repeated territorial disputes between multiple powerful Magic beasts happen.

Terrace was once a city under constant attack. However, since Saya began her activities, the frequency of attacks has decreased significantly. A power that the elite Treasure Hunters from Terrace’s branch and the veteran soldiers who protect the city from harm can never reach, a power that even the Monsters fear.

And for her unparalleled achievement, Saya reached Level 8. Some time has passed since then, but no other Hunter has yet appeared at Terrace’s branch who can match Saya.

Coralie sighs, raises her hands as if raising a white flag, and says.

“I believe that Sarasara is an extremely powerful force, but at the same time, it also harbors great danger. To be precise, it is the things Sarasara summons, and this incident has reaffirmed that danger. After all, even Saya herself――Doesn’t know what those things are or why they are helping her.” (Coralie)

§ § §

Thanks for reading! Haha Cry and Kaiser is passing the hot potato to Saya even tho’ it is the legendary Level 9 that all Hunters are aiming. Moreover, the mystery deepens with Sarasara…